The Ministry of Justice

In a recent article by Catholic News Service, Carol Glatz reports on Pope Benedict's recent statement declaring that "[i]t is 'unacceptable' to evangelize without addressing the urgent problems of poverty, injustice and oppression..." Benedict re-iterates the need for the Church to spread the Gospel to all corners of the world, but this cannot be done without first being in solidarity with those who are being evangelized. There is a very clear and direct mandate to care for our neighbor and in so doing, help to not only change the heart of those we encounter, but promote and seek to secure justice in the life of those who's hearts we strive to bring to Christ.

It seems this call to care for others, to truly be our Brothers/Sisters keepers, is a amazingly powerful way to evangelize and show others the Gospel in action. Blessed Mother Teresa is a prime example of what I would view as a healthy advocate of evangelization that we could all look up to. Self-giving service, a honest and continual struggle with the reality and existence of God, and a compassion that models the salvific act of Christ on the Cross, is what she brought to members of all faiths.